Finding your favorite spots on campus may be difficult at first, but it is so worth it! I encourage all first-year students to explore campus buildings and not just study in their dorm or the library out of convenience. Having spots you enjoy hanging out or studying in makes college life smoother and more enjoyable. For me, these spaces have become little places of peace and inspiration.
The Adam Joseph Lewis Center (AJLC) Library
The AJLC is home to the Environmental Studies Department at Oberlin. It is a beautiful building with a calming atmosphere. The huge windows that let in lots of natural light, the lightly colored desks, and the tiny waterfalls on the first floor are a few reasons it calms me. Although I’m taking my first class in the AJLC this semester, my friend introduced me to one of my favorite rooms here during my first year. While I’m unsure if the room has an official name, we always call it the AJLC Library. It is a small room, which is one reason I love it so much. I don’t usually visit the library when classes are in session, but I know the room is often vacant or only filled with a few people on the weekends, making it a great place to study.
The Fourth Floor of Mary Church Terrell Main Library (Mudd)
Mary Church Terrell Main Library, our main library facility on campus, has four floors; the fourth is my favorite. I think it’s the most underrated floor of the library and deserves much more love. It’s separated into two parts, one part that looks very similar to the rest of the library, and a second part that is smaller but more spacious. I love the smaller and more spacious section of the fourth floor mainly because of all the natural light that shines through the huge windows. In the winter, it makes you forget how cold it is outside thanks to the warmth from the sun. It is an excellent place for people like me who are always cold and love using the sun to feel cozy.
The Mudd Sundeck
Mary Church Terrell Main Library’s sundeck, which can be accessed through the fourth floor of the library, is my favorite place to study when it’s nice outside. Although it could be grouped with the fourth floor, the sundeck is special enough to deserve its own section.
Studying outside can be relaxing, but distractions like glare and bugs can make it challenging. Luckily, the sundeck minimizes these issues. The elevation limits distractions, and there’s plenty of shade and sun to choose from, making it an ideal spot for outdoor studying. I’d stay there all day, every day, if I could!
The Bonner Center
The Bonner Center is another great place on campus. The Bonner Center is located at the basement level of Mary Church Terrell Main Library. It is a space for students to explore opportunities involving non-profit and community based research and learning. As a Bonner Scholar, it was one of the first places I was introduced to and felt comfortable on campus. All the staff in the center are welcoming, and the space is also relatively new and modern.
The Oberlin Neighborhoods
One of the aspects I love about Oberlin is how close we are to the community neighborhoods. As someone who enjoys walks and alone time, I love strolling nearby streets. I am happy that I live on the south part of campus because the neighborhood nearby is excellent for walking. It has sidewalks and no major roads to cross. The houses also look very cute and homey from the outside.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few of my favorite spots, but I encourage you to explore and discover your own! Whether it's a quiet corner in an academic building, a swinging bench in Tappan Square, or a patch of grass in Wilder Bowl, finding places that feel like yours makes campus life even better.
